Middlesbrough V QPR at The Riverside Stadium : Match Preview

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka will be without Grant Leadbitter and Muzzy Carayol for Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with QPR.

Midfielder Leadbitter will miss the game against Harry Redknapp's men, and the trip to Huddersfield which follows it next Tuesday evening, after picking up his 10th booking of the season in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth last weekend.

Striker Carayol was even more unfortunate at the Goldsands Stadium, however, as he suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament which will require surgery and rule him out for the rest of the season.

There is a glimmer of hope for Karanka with central defender Jonathan Woodgate back in training after missing the last three games with a calf injury.

QPR are hoping for some positive injury news ahead of the trip.

Goalkeeper Rob Green could return after missing the 3-0 midweek defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a rib injury and midfielder Jermaine Jenas should overcome a hamstring niggle.

And right-back Danny Simpson, an ever-present until he was sidelined by a back problem in mid-January, has returned to training and could also be available.